“We have been unable to hold clinics, but we have continued to supply hospitals,” he said.

“As of this morning, we have just three days supply on average across all groups and just two days in O negative. We will be unable to guarantee supply to hospitals unless there is a significant increase in donations over the coming weeks to make up the shortfall,” he said.

Mr McKinney said with St Patrick’s Day bank holiday weekend fast approaching and Easter on the horizon, they have limited time to get the blood supply stabilised.

“We are asking blood donors to make a special effort to give blood over the coming weeks when there is a clinic in their area which will help to restore blood supplies,” he said.

The IBTS said it will be running four additional clinics on Sunday - in Waterford city, Drogheda, Celbridge and Doon - alongside its normal services.